To watch junior Katie Oakes play, one would think every play was the final play of the NCAA Championship. After every point won, big or small, Oakes responds with a fiery yell or exuberant high-five. This sort of enthusiasm towards the game impacts not only Oakes' performance, but the team's as well.
"Her energy, her actions and her body language that she adds to the team is incredible," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "She has been a driving force in our winning record this season."
Where does this enthusiasm come from? Oakes cites her "intense personality" as the most likely source.
"I really love the game and the heat of the moment," Oakes said. "I get so excited, I just can't help it."
This season, the 6-foot, 1-inch middle hitter from Lorton, Va., has much to be excited about. For the first time since her first year, her ankle feels healthy. Oakes sprained her ankle badly her first year and then again her second year, and thus, the past two years have been a blur of rehab and training rooms.
"It was a long process of just sitting in the training room doing rehab over and over," Oakes said. "It was definitely frustrating."
Because of her injury, Oakes was unable to play in Virginia's first four ACC contests of the 2005 season. However, in spite of her injury, Oakes still managed to set career highs in kills (304) and blocks (108). In addition, Oakes was named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (SID) All-State Second Team.
"[Oakes] is always one of those players that has played through various injuries and has a high pain tolerance," Shelton said. "She is able to play through things other ones may not. You wouldn't even know she was banged up unless you talked to her."
This season, however, Oakes is back full-tilt and her statistics thus far are evidence that her ankle is finally feeling normal. Oakes has started all nine matches this season and leads the team in hitting percentage (.295) with 100 kills. She also leads the team in blocks with 51.
"It's been a long recovery process, but it feels good now," Oakes said. "I hope that everyone can see that on the court that I feel better."
Whether it was her "intense personality" or the Cavaliers' medical staff that pulled her through her injury, Oakes is back, and just when the Cavaliers need her most. This season, the Cavaliers will rely on both Oakes' emotional leadership and her physical presence on the court if they are to win the ACC title.
Oakes is up to the challenge of the being both a physical and emotional leader of the team.
"I try to be an emotional leader and keep the team up with that," Oakes said. "I try to open holes for the other girls hitting wise and basically being the lead middle and doing everything I can to support the team."
Oakes, who has started off the season strong, has been named to the all-tournament team three weekends in a row. The Cavaliers will look to their starting middle to continue her strong play as they travel to Blacksburg for their ACC debut against the Hokies Friday night.
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 20 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | 2 days agoJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
